Mark Carney Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister—What It Means for Bitcoin and Crypto Regulations

Tatevik Avetisyan
By Tatevik Avetisyan 4 Min Read

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Mark Carney, former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor, is now Canada’s Prime Minister. On March 9, he secured 85.9% of the vote, officially becoming the leader of the Liberal Party.

Mark Carney during a Liberal Party leadership debate in Montreal on Feb. 24.Graham Hughes—Bloomberg via Getty Images
Mark Carney during a Liberal Party leadership debate in Montreal on Feb. 24. Graham Hughes—Bloomberg via Getty Images

Carney has been a strong critic of Bitcoin (BTC) for years. His leadership is expected to bring tighter cryptocurrency regulations in Canada, with a focus on anti-money laundering (AML) policies and potential development of a digital Canadian dollar.

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Carney’s Stance on Bitcoin and Crypto Regulations

Carney has consistently opposed Bitcoin. During his tenure as Bank of England governor, he labeled Bitcoin as “seriously deficient” and questioned its role in the financial system.

 Mark Carney’s Bitcoin Criticism Resurfaces as He Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister. Source: CryptoEdge
Mark Carney’s Bitcoin Criticism Resurfaces as He Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister. Source: CryptoEdge on X

In 2018, he criticized Bitcoin’s fixed supply, arguing that it leads to price volatility and encourages speculation.

“The fixed supply of Bitcoin has sparked a global speculative frenzy, encouraging the proliferation of new cryptocurrencies,”

Carney stated.

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Mark Carney’s 2018 Speech on The Future of Money at Bank of England. Source: Bank of England
Mark Carney’s 2018 Speech on The Future of Money at Bank of England. Source: Bank of England

He also claimed that Bitcoin lacks stability and does not function as an effective medium of exchange. In his view, cryptocurrencies do not meet the basic criteria of money, making them unsuitable for mainstream financial use.

Mark Carney Supports CBDCs Over Bitcoin

Carney has consistently advocated for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) instead of decentralized cryptocurrencies. He argues that CBDCs could improve financial access, help governments fight economic crime, and strengthen monetary policy control.

His stance is similar to that of Indian regulators, who also favor CBDCs while maintaining strict oversight of cryptocurrencies.

A post by X user noted:


“Carney calls Bitcoin’s fixed supply a crime, supports CBDCs, and now controls policy for a $1.9 trillion economy.”

Mark Carney’s Bitcoin Criticism and Support for CBDCs Resurface as He Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister. Source: Syntoshi
Mark Carney’s Bitcoin Criticism and Support for CBDCs Resurface as He Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister. Source: Syntoshi on X

Carney has previously argued that a digital Canadian dollar could serve as a stable alternative to Bitcoin, offering government-backed security while allowing authorities to monitor illicit financial activities.

Crypto Regulations in Canada Under Carney’s Leadership

Carney’s past statements suggest that Canada’s cryptocurrency sector may face stricter oversight. His policies could lead to tougher AML rules and increased investor protection measures.

His stance on crypto regulations could also impact Canada’s Bitcoin ETFs, including BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF and 3iQ’s Solana ETF. Tighter policies might affect institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, making compliance more complex for crypto businesses.

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Carney assumes office at a time when Canada faces trade tensions with the US. In early February, the US reintroduced a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, raising concerns about economic stability.

His approach to financial regulations, including his position on Bitcoin and digital assets, will influence Canada’s economic and crypto landscape in the coming months.

Tatevik Crypto Journalist CoinChapter

Tatevik Avetisyan

Tatev Avetisyan is a Markets Writer and Analyst at CoinChapter, covering cryptocurrency markets, policy, and regulation. With over seven years of experience in business and marketing development, she has spent the past two years specializing in digital assets and has authored more than 2,000 articles on crypto markets and regulatory developments. She contributes as a guest writer to leading industry publications and is a prominent Web3 advocate in Armenia through Web3Armenia. Her work reflects a broader focus on artificial intelligence and Web3 technologies. Tatev maintains a diversified crypto portfolio, with Bitcoin as her primary holding above CoinChapter’s $1,000 disclosure threshold.